Gladstone leaves long retail legacy

Orange, CA — Ann Gladstone, the inspiration for the Anna's Linens chain, passed away June 17 at the age of 85 after a nearly four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, she got her first job in retail at age 17, during the heart of the Depression, at Herns Department Stores. After raising three children, she returned to retail, working her way up to department manager of several different department stores. Her husband, the late Frank Gladstone, was also in retail, and for a time they traveled around the country together running large retail liquidations. In 1987, her son, Alan Gladstone, founded his own retail business, Anna's Linens. Ann joined the company, traveling to stores to train personnel.